Reflection
9 cardsCategory: Love & Relationships
A revealing spread that requires honest self-reflection and honesty with each other.
Overview
'Reflection' is a revealing 9-card spread by Sarah Bartlett that requires honest self-reflection and honesty with each other, sincerity and maximum objectivity. It can be done together or alone. The spread is arranged in two columns — yours and your partner's — and concludes with card 9 at the top, showing what needs to be done next.
Spread Diagram
Card Positions
What do I think about myself?
Your self-perception in the context of this relationship.
What do you think about yourself?
Your partner's self-perception in the context of the relationship.
My feelings
Your true feelings in this relationship.
Your feelings
Your partner's true feelings in this relationship.
What I think about your feelings
Your perception of your partner's feelings — how you see and interpret them.
What you think about my feelings
Your partner's perception of your feelings — how they see and interpret them.
My desire
Your main desire in this relationship — what you strive for.
Your desire
Your partner's main desire in the relationship — what they strive for.
What needs to be done
Advice — what action needs to be taken to improve the relationship.
How to Read
Shuffle the deck while focusing on the relationship. Draw 9 cards. Left column (1, 3, 5, 7) — your side: self-image, feelings, perception of partner, desires. Right column (2, 4, 6, 8) — partner's side. Card 9 at the top — final advice. Compare horizontal pairs from bottom to top: self-image (1–2), feelings (3–4), perception of each other's feelings (5–6), desires (7–8).
Tips & Advice
The key pair is cards 5 and 6: they show how accurately you perceive each other's feelings. Compare card 5 with card 4 (does your perception match reality?), and card 6 with card 3. Often, distorted perception of the partner's feelings is the source of conflicts. If desires (7 and 8) align — you share a common goal. Card 9 suggests a specific action.
Other Spreads
Who Am I?7 cards
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Full Cup4 cards
If you have financial problems, this spread reveals their cause and suggests what action to take.